India Calls AJK Election a 'Farce'; Pakistan Says India Lacks 'Moral Authority' to Comment

India's Ministry of External Affairs termed the completed Azad Jammu & Kashmir Assembly election a 'farce,' saying such 'hollow exercises' could not hide the ground reality in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistan's Foreign Office rejected the criticism as baseless and politically motivated on August 7, 2026, stating India had 'neither the standing nor the moral authority' to comment on AJK's polls, which it described as peaceful, transparent, and reflective of the democratic will of the people. The Foreign Office spokesperson noted India's remarks came on the eve of the Youm-e-Istehsal anniversary and accused New Delhi of trying to distract from its own actions in Indian-administered Jammu & Kashmir.